Apparatus for making vehicle body panels



Jan. 10, 1939.

A. P. BALL APPARATUS FOR MAKING VEHICLE BODY PANELS 2 Sheets-Sheeh 1 Original Filed Oct. s, 1932 INVENTOR. fliberz Pfia'll.

AYT\TO EYs.

Jan. 10, 1939. L 2,143,13

APPARATUS FOR MAKING VEHICLE BODY PANELS Original Filed Oct. 6, 1932 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTOR.

ATTORNEYS.

Patented Jan. 10, 1939 2,143,136

APPARATUS FOR MAKING VEHICLE. BODY PANELS Albert P. Ball Detroit, Mich., assignor to Briggs Manufacturing Company, Detroit, Mich a corporation of Michigan Original application October 6, 1932 Serial No.

636,544. Dividedand this application October 23, 1935', Serial No. 46,310. Renewed May 31,

Claims. (Cl. 154-1) lil This invention relates to an apparatus for pro- Fig. 3 is a vertical section taken through line ducing panels for automobile bodies, such panels 3-3 of Fig. 2 in the direction of the arrows. being formed from relatively flexible sheet ma- Fig. 4 is a section taken through line 4-4 of terial and in their completed form usually con Fig. 2 in the direction of the arrows. taining patterns or designs which may be in the Fig. 5 is a diagrammatic side elevation illus- 5 nature of embossed or pressed portions, or may eti another form of appa a us for Carrying be openings or cut out portions punched or outthe invention. pierced from the material. The invention is par- Fig. dis a plan view of the construction shown ticularly advantageous in the production of trim in Fig. 5. panels which are ordinarily of composite forma- Fig. 7 is a View, partly in section, taken through 10 tion and usually comprise backing strips of relaline 1'! ot Fig. 5. M tively stiff but flexible material, such as fiber or Fig. 8 is a section taken through line 8--8 of cardboard, and facing strips of cloth fabric which Fig 6. V I r t form the exposed interior trim of the automo- Befo e e p g in detail the present invenbile body. t On it is to be understood that the invention is An object of the invention is to provide an not limited in its application to the details of apparatus for producing these panelsin a conconstruction and arrangement of parts illustrated tinuous manner whereby substantial savings in n t ac mp y drawings, since the invendirect labor costs, equipment, and other manution is capable of other embodiments and of being facturing costs are obtained and whereby the practiced or carried out in various ways. Also time required to perform the various operations it is to be unde stood th t he p e y on the panel blanks is materially reduced. terminolegy p y herein is for the p p A further object of the invention is to provide of description d ot of limitation, it is an apparatus for making trim panels for autonot intended to limit the invention claimed herein mobile bodies in which a foundation or backing beyond e eq m nts of the prior art. strip and a fabric strip are cemented together The embodiment of the invention illustrated and pattern portions are formed in the composite n Figs. t s ve P i u y d p strip by rollers, and in which the edges of the the p p ef pro ucing in a continuous combined strips may be trimmed and panels cut manner comp site trim p n ls for automobile from the strip substantially at the same time bodies; wh panels in this instance are of twowhile the strip travels continuously through the 1 3 nated structurecemp e n ation machine or backing strip of relatively stiff but flexible A further object of the invention is to provide a 1&1 ll a facing ip of cloth or trim fabric. an apparatus for producing panels of laminated The fnventlon, h 15 et mited to the pro"- or composite formation in which a plurality of ductlon 0f Fiv -Ply eomposlte tllln panelg as 1; 35 separate strips of material are cemented together may qe ll adapted f the pro uction of p or otherwise permanently united, in which pat P911915 eorxlslstme of three or mere pllesshel y tern or design portions are pressed into the comt panel qmp d of a base eh posite strip and in which the strip is trimmed 3 as i ar P -b erd, but as and cut into a succession of similar panels dur- Z: 2%; gi f ig m employ 4Q tinuous travel of the strip through p e mes a ac mg for the E the 9 cloth or fabric, and when using wire mesh I prefer the machine. to apply a backing or bottom covering'strip to Other ob ects of invention W111 appear in the wire mesh which may be a strip of pap era the following description and appended claims, In Figs 2 and 4 there is illustrated, by Way of reference bein held h eccempahymg w example, one form of trim panel F which may ings forming a part of this specification wherein be produced in the apparatus. In h instance like-reference characters designate correspondth pane] comprises a found ti or backing parts in the Several VieW$- portion A to which is cemented a top fabric por- 1 S a Side elevation, p y in ct on a d tion B. The composite panel is pressed to pro- 50 partly diagrammatic, illustrating one form of vide a suitable pattern such as the embossed apparatus for carrying out the present inven portion 0 and pierced openings D and E. tion. Referring to the apparatus, the backing strip Fig. 2 is a plan view of the structure shown in A is carried in coiled form on a supply roll 9 Fig. 1. supported for rotation on suitable uprights Ill.

The strip A passes between a pair of guide and straightening rollers underneath the nozzle 2a of a tank or container |2 which may contain, as in the present instance, a supply of liquid cement. The mouth of the nozzle |2a is flat tened to provide a narrow transverse orifice projecting the full width of the strip A so as to coat the entire surface with cement during the travel of the strip. Thence, the strip passes between a pair of spreader rollers l3 for spreading the cement on the strip in an even and uniform manner. The strip is then fed beneath a fan l4 located within an open mouth casing l5. This fan is driven by a suitable motor Mo and operates to direct an air stream against the cemented face of the strip and partially dry the cement so that it will have the proper tacky consistency. Other suitable drying means may be utilized in place of the fan if desired.

The facing strip B is wound and carried on a supply roller l6, the pivots I! of which are supported in bearings at the upper ends of a pair of pedestals I8. Resistance is provided to the pull-off of the strip from the roll by means of friction blocks I9 engaging the pivots I! under the pressure of springs 20.

The superimposed strips are guided into superimposed relation and caused to pass between a pair of presser rollers 29 and 39 which function to press the strips together and effect a permanent bond by virtue of the cement or adhesive material between the strips. The lower presser roller 36 is preferably journaled in fixed bearings in a pair of laterally spaced uprights 23. The upper presser roller 29 is preferably journaled in a pair of slide blocks 3| which are adjustable in vertical ways in the uprights 23 and are carried by a pair of screw shafts 32 threaded through tapped holes in the cross heads 23a. The shafts are rotated to adjust the presser roller 29 by means of hand wheels 33. The blocks 3| are adjustable against the action of compression springs 34 and by virtue of the adjusting means for the roller 29 it will be seen that the presser rollers may be properly positioned to accommodate any thickness of the laminated strip.

The united strips A and B are guided from the presser rolls 29 and 30 between a pair of stretcher rollers 2| and 22. The lower roller 22 rotates in fixed bearings in a pair of spaced uprights 31. The upper roller 2| is journaled in a pair of slide blocks 24 which slide in vertical ways, as shown, in the uprights 31. The slide blocks 24 are carried at the lower ends of a pair of screw threaded shafts 25 which extend through tapped holes in the cross heads 26 and are operated by means of hand wheels 21. The slide blocks 24 preferably work against compression springs 28 interposed between the blocks and the bottoms of the guideways. The upper stretcher roller 2| is provided at opposite ends with reverse spiral threads 2|a by means of which the side edges of the fabric B are pulled laterally so as to stretch the fabric and render it smooth and unwrinkled before the strips are fed between the forming rollers. Since the roller 2| may be adjusted vertically it will be seen that the bite of the stretcher roller on the fabric may be properly regulated.

From the stretcher rollers the laminated strip is then guided between a pair of forming rollers 35 and 36 carried by uprights 31 and which, in the present instance, are power driven and function as means for feeding the strips A and B through the machine. Attached to the roller 35 is a ring gear 38 which meshes with a gear 39 carried by the lower roller 36. The gear 38 is driven by a gear 4|] from a shaft 4| which may be operated through suitable reduction gearing from an electric motor. The stub shafts 42 of the lower roller 36 are journaled in bearings in the uprights 31. The upper roller 35 is free to rotate on a non-rotatable cross shaft 43 the opposite ends of which are secured in guide blocks 44 slidable in vertical ways 44a in the uprights 31. These guide blocks are carried by screw shafts 45 operable by means of hand wheels 46. The adjusting shafts 45 cooperate with the threads of tapped holes in the cross heads 31a. The slide blocks 44 are adjustable against compression springs 41 located at the bottom of the ways 44a. By virtue of the above described adjusting means the proper relative positions of the pattern forming rollers may be determined.

In the present instance the forming rollers are provided with duplicate patterns so that at each complete revolution the rollers will repeat the same pattern twice in the length of the laminated strip. Obviously the rollers may be of a size to produce a lesser or greater number of duplicate patterns, each complete pattern ordinarily being used for a single panel F. In the present instance the upper roller 35 is provided with projecting portions 50 mating with correspondingly shaped recesses in the face of the lower roller 36 for piercing the laminated strip so as to produce the openings E in the panel. The upper roller also has opposed projecting portions 48 mating with correspondingly shaped recesses in the lower roller for piercing the strip to form the openings D. The pattern rollers in this instance also are provided with grooves or channel portions 49 on the upper roller mating with correspondingly shaped projections or ribs on the lower roller by means of which the embossed portion C is pressed into the laminated sheet, as shown in Fig. 4.

The pattern forming rollers are also provided with means for shearing the strip transversely into the successive panels F. To this end the upper roller 35 may be provided with diametrically opposed knives and the lower roller with recesses 5|a into which the knives are shifted to shear the strip. Each knife 5| is in the form of a plunger slidable in a slot in the roller 35 and carrying at its inner end a cam roller 52 adapted to contact with a cam 53 secured to the shaft 43. The cam roller and cam are located within a recess 54 in the hub of the roller 35. Hence, during the rotation of the roller 35 cam rollers 52 will successively travel into position to contact with cam 53 whereupon the knives 5| will be successively shifted outwardly from the face of the roller to shear the strip during its travel. In the present instance two panels F will be cut from the strip by the knives 5| at each revolution of the forming rollers '35 and 36. These rollers are also provided at each side with cooperating cutting means for trimming the longitudinal edges of the strip. In the present instance the trimming means comprises an annular projecting portion 55 at each end of the upper roller 35 which travels in a groove in the lower roller and operates to trim oil the portions 56 at the longitudinal edges of the strip.

Where the pattern formed in the blank includes openings pierced or punched in the strip, the slugs may be ejected in any suitable manner. In the foregoing embodiment the lower roller 36 may be hollow, as shown, and the slugs punched from the strip pass directly into the interior of the roller. These may be discharged by directing an air blast through the roller.

It will be understood that where the laminated strip consists of more than two plies, an additional supply roller or rollers and cementing means are provided as needed, all strips being joined together and fed continuously to the pattern forming rollers.

From the foregoing it will be seen that the pattern forming rollers 35 and 36 are, in the present preferred embodiment of the invention, provided with means for pressing an embossed design in the laminated strip, piercing openings therein, trimming the edges of the strip, and cutting off the strip transversely, all of which may be accomplished simultaneously during the continuous travel of the strip through the machine.

Referring to the embodiment illustrated in Figs. to 8 inclusive, the apparatus in this instance is constructed, by Way of example, to form a succession of panels F out of flexible material, such as sheet steel. Any suitable pattern may be produced, and in Fig. 6 there is illustrated a panel having an embossed portion H, openings J and an aperture K. The sheet metal strip is coiled and supported on a supply roll 60 from which it is fed through} guide and straightening rollers 62. Thence the strip travels continuously between the pattern forming rollers 63 and 64. The shaft 65 of the upper roller 63 is driven through meshing gears 66 and 61 from a drive shaft 68 which in turn is driven from an electric motor or other power source.

The upper roller in this instance is provided with a projecting portion 69 working in a groove 10 in the lower roller and designed to press into the strip the embossed portion H. As in the previous embodiment the rollers are provided with duplicate pattern forming portions so as to repeat the pattern twice during each revolution. of the rollers. The upper roller also has projections H adapted to coact with the edges of correspondingly shaped recesses in the lower roller to pierce the sheet and produce the openings J. The upper roller also is provided with diametrically opposed projecting portions 12 adapted to coact with the edges of recesses 13 in the lower roller to punch out the portions 14 to produce apertures K. For the purpose of removing the slugs 14 the punch portion 12 cooperates with a knockout plunger 15 located in the recess 13. The plunger 15 is carried by a sliding guide rodl6 and works against a spring 11. It will be understood that after the rollers have revolved past the point where the slug 14 is punched from the strip the plunger 15 will be shifted by the spring to eject the slug from the lower roller.

The pattern forming rollers are also provided with mechanism for trimming the edges of the strip. This mechanism comprises annular cutting projections 18 cooperating with the edges of grooves 19 in the lower roller to trim off the edge portions 80 of the strip continuously during its travel, as shown in Fig. '7.

From the foregoing it will be seen that the strip during its continuous travel through the machine may be simultaneously embossed, pierced and trimmed. At the same time the blanks F are cut off from the strip, two during each revolution of the rollers, by means of transverse knives 5| constructed and operating similar to the knives 5| above described in connection with the embodiment illustrated in Figs. 1 to 4 inclusive.

This application is a division of my co-pending application, Serial No. 636,544, filed October 6, 1932, now Patent No. 2,021,095, patented November 12, 1935.

I claim:

1. A machine for forming laminated panels, comprising means for guiding a backing strip and a fabric strip into superposed relation, means for uniting said strips together during the travel thereof continuously in a predetermined path longitudinally of the machine, and means for thereafter stretching the fabric strip transversely of the machine and uniformly across the backing strip.

2. A machine for forming laminated panels, comprising means for guiding a backing strip and a fabric strip into superposed relation, means for uniting said strips together during the travel thereof continuously in a predetermined path longitudinally of the machine, means for thereafter engaging the side edges of and stretching the fabric strip in a direction transverse to the direction of travel thereof uniformly across the backing strip, and means for embossing said laminated strip.

3. A machine for forming laminated panels comprising means for guiding a backing strip and a fabric strip into superimposed relation. and for uniting said strips together to form a laminated strip, means for moving said strips continuously in a predetermined path longitudinally through the machine, and means acting on the side edges of said moving laminated strip for stretching the fabric strip outwardly in opposite directions transversely of the machine and uniformly across the backing strip.

4. A machine for forming laminated panels comprising means for guiding a backing strip and a fabric strip into superimposed relation and for uniting said strips together to form a laminated strip, means for moving said strips continuously in a predetermined path, means acting on the opposite side edges of said moving laminated strip for stretching the fabric strip uniformly across the backing strip, and a. pair of superimposed rollers located beyond said stretching means for embossing said laminated strip.

5. A machine for forming laminated panels comprising means for guiding a backing strip and a fabric strip into superimposed relation and for uniting said strips together to form a laminated strip, means for moving said strips con tinuously in a predetermined path longitudinally through the machine, means acting on said moving laminated strip adjacent its side edges for stretching the fabric strip uniformly across the backing strip in opposite directions transverse to the path of movement of said strips, means beyond said stretching means for embossing said laminated strip to form a succession of repeated patterns, and means for shearing the strip into blanks each containing a pattern.

ALBERT P. BALL.

CERTIFICATE OF CORRECTION. Patent No. 2,115,156' January 16, 1959.

ALBERT P. BALL.

It is hereby certified that error appears in the printed specification of the above numbered patent requiring correction as follows: Page 5, second column, line 25, claim 2, for the word "of" read through; and that the said Letters Patent shouldbe read with this correction therein that the same may conform to the record of the case in the Patent Office.

Signed and sealed this 21st day of March, A D. 1959.

Henry Van Arsdale (Seal) Acting Commissioner of Patents, 

